SECRETARY'S REPORT. 169 



the fourth of July, This perhaps would be early enough if grass 

 could all be cut just at the time when it would furnish the most 

 and best fodder, but I think nothing is lost by commencing even 

 before this time. I have heard many farmers say they did not 

 begin haying soon enough, but never one who thought he began 

 too early. For if some grass is not really fit to cut as soon as the 

 time above mentioned, yet allowing for dull weather, &c., during 

 the hay season, much of the grass will get considerably dead 

 before the scythe reaches it. And here I wish to refer to a com- 

 mon error in practice with those farmers who have both English or 

 upland and also low meadow grass to cut. It is in cutting their 

 finer grasses first, and allowing the meadows and coarser grasses 

 to remain uncut until quite late in the season. The fact is, low 

 meadow grass should be mowed first, for, according to an eminent 

 agricultural writer, they deteriorate in nutrition much more when 

 left to ripen their seeds, than the finer varieties of grasses. 



There are few farmers in the county but what admit the injuri- 

 ous effects of pasturing mowing fields in fall, and yet it is the pre- 

 vailing practice, but allowed because it is said to be necessary. 

 The feed in .pastures becomes scanty by August or September, and 

 as the fall feed of mowing lands has received a fresh start, the 

 cattle are turned in. Some do not regard it as very injurious to 

 feed moderately, but to crop close is without doubt a plan which 

 should never be adopted. Aside from many prevailing opinions on 

 both sides, the argument seems to be in favor of not feeding the 

 after growth. If this is done, the spring growth is retarded, and 

 lacks vigor. 



Within a few years improved implements have been introduced 

 to some degree. It has been estimated that fifty mowing machines 

 were put in operation in the county the past season. Those who 

 use mowing machines are able to perform their work in good 

 weather, and to cut at the time when the grass is in its best state 

 for making nutritious fodder. Some farmers who own machines 

 cut grass for their neighbors, charging therefor fifty cents per acre. 

 As a general thing it is the one-horse mowers which are most com- 

 monly used. I would here make a suggestion, that those who use 

 a one-horse mower, should have two cutting bars — one a short one, 

 the other longer. In cutting light and thin grass the longer bar 

 could be used, and the same power would go over more ground ; 

 while if the grass was heavy the shorter one could be put on the 

 machine in a moment's time. 



